Cheshire students take on ‘Get Away N Get Safe’ programme

Students in Cheshire will be taking part in an early intervention programme aimed at challenging and changing young people’s attitude around gang culture and knife carrying.

Chief Inspector (CI) Sarah O’Driscoll submitted an application to the Commissioner’s Police Innovation Fund, which provides officers, staff and volunteers from Cheshire Constabulary to apply for funding to launch new projects which will have a positive impact on policing. The application suggested implementing the ‘Get Away N Get Safe’ programme in schools across Cheshire, following the success it has had in Greater Manchester.

Get Away N Get Safe was set up by James Riley, who worked as a probation officer for 18 years, specialising in Urban Street Gangs and Organised Crime Groups. The programme, which will be delivered in 13 schools across Cheshire, is targeted at young people to empower them to make the right decisions surrounding gang culture, knife crime and social responsibility.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer said:

“I am so pleased that CI O’Driscoll applied to my Police Innovation Fund and that she wanted to extend the excellent work that had gone on in Greater Manchester by implementing it here, in Cheshire, too.

“The Get Away N Get Safe session that I attended at Macclesfield Academy was fascinating and the young people were captivated by the stories and the message being delivered. Preventing and tackling crime is key in my Police and Crime Plan, and if we can educate young people on the dangers of gangs, knife crime and county lines activity I am confident that we can keep them on the right tracks.”

The programme is broken down into 5 different sessions and focuses on issues such as gang identity, county lines, joint enterprise and the importance of speaking to the police. 

Local officers have also attended the sessions to raise their profile and to develop their rapport with the young people within their communities.

Chief Inspector O’Driscoll said:

“This is a fantastic project that I have used previously at around 20 schools at both primary and secondary education levels in the Greater Manchester area. It allows our officers to not only educate them about social responsibility but to engage with youths within their communities.”

“Those who listen to the sessions will be equipped with the knowledge to understand what the consequences of their actions could have on their lives and the dangers of getting involved in criminality.

“I’d like to thank the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable for their support in backing this project.”

James Riley from Get Away N Get Safe, said:

“I would like to thank CI Sarah O’Driscoll for supporting the project and for introducing our organisation to Cheshire schools.

“I hope to educate many young people to keep them on the right path in life and empower them to achieve their hopes and dreams.”

For more information about Get Away N Get Safe, please visit the website: getaway-n-getsafe.co.uk

To find out more about the Police Innovation, visit the Commissioner’s website: 

www.cheshire-pcc.gov.uk

Pictured - Police and Crime Commissioner, John Dwyer with Chief Inspector O’Driscoll, James Riley and teachers from Macclesfield Academy.